Escape to Your Heart

Chapter 230: Promotion

Fu Tingyun was so shocked that she nearly jumped off the kang: "What did you say? Ninth Master has been promoted to Guizhou's Regional Commander? Why didn’t anyone tell me?"

Yan Qing looked at her timidly, not daring to utter a word.

Her greatest wish was to stay by Zhao Ling’s side forever.

No wonder Zhao Ling had rambled on and on the moment he saw her.

Fu Tingyun couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

He knew her heart’s desire—but how could she have known his?

Perhaps because he had lost his parents at a young age, Zhao Ling cherished her and their children deeply. No matter how busy he was with official duties, he would always write a letter home every ten days. Whenever there was an opportunity, he would strive to return to the capital to reunite with them. And when he was home, he would decline unimportant social engagements to stay with her and the children, or take them out for walks...

Xuanfu was only about ten days' journey from the capital. Back then, when Mo Yi had earnestly invited Zhao Ling to serve as his deputy, Zhao Ling had tactfully declined even when questioned by the Emperor. How much more so for a place as distant as Guizhou? Even if it was a promotion, it might not have been something Zhao Ling willingly accepted. Fu Tingyun was certain of this.

Zhao Ling was being overly cautious.

Though she longed for her husband to stay by her side, she was not an unreasonable person. Would she really blame him for this?

As this thought crossed her mind, Fu Tingyun’s expression froze.

No!

Zhao Ling was the person who understood her best in this world. How could he not know what she would think? There was no need for him to act so guilty in front of her.

Unless... there was something else going on?

Fu Tingyun thought of all the praise Zhao Ling had received lately... Her heart began to pound wildly.

Could it be... could it be that this wasn’t just an ordinary promotion? Was he being sent to war...?

Once this suspicion arose, Fu Tingyun could no longer sit still.

She wished she could summon Zhao Ling immediately and demand an explanation.

Just then, Fifth Sister’s voice, filled with surprise and delight, reached her ears: "Ninth Brother-in-law has been promoted to Guizhou’s Regional Commander? Really? When did this happen? We’ve been back for so long—why didn’t he mention a word of it? He’s always so composed!" She added with a laugh, "It’s not like there are outsiders here. Did he think telling us would make us gossip and ruin his dignity?" Only then did she notice the odd expressions on Fu Tingyun and Yan Qing’s faces. She abruptly stopped speaking and asked in astonishment, "Ninth Sister, wh-what’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing," Fu Tingyun said, not wanting Fifth Sister to worry. "I just heard about this myself."

Fifth Sister had only been married into the Yao family for a few years, yet she had already taken part in managing the family’s affairs—a testament to her sharp wit. However, having grown up with her sisters, she wasn’t used to bringing her outside demeanor into their interactions. After a brief moment of thought, she realized Zhao Ling’s promotion might not be entirely good news and quickly changed the subject. But that evening, when Fifth Brother-in-law and Zhao Ling returned, she immediately dismissed all the servants and asked Zhao Ling about his promotion: "...Did you know about this?"Fifth Brother-in-law wore a look of sudden realization. "No wonder Shopkeeper Ye San congratulated Ninth Brother-in-law—it was for this matter." He continued, "But at the time, Ninth Brother-in-law seemed unwilling to discuss it further, so Shopkeeper Ye San didn’t press the issue. I thought they were avoiding me for some reason, so I even made up an excuse to visit the outhouse." He then added curiously, "A promotion is good news, isn’t it? Why was Ninth Brother-in-law so secretive about it? Could it be that the official notice hasn’t arrived yet? But that doesn’t make sense! Even Official Wu in faraway Shaanxi already knew about it, which means the news must have been public for a while... So why hasn’t he said anything? Guizhou is so remote, full of barbarians, and isolated... Could it be that Ninth Brother-in-law was exiled there...?"

Fifth Sister only grew more confused the more her husband spoke. She simply called for her trusted housekeeper. "Ninth Brother-in-law has been promoted to Provincial Military Commander of Guizhou, but Ninth Sister doesn’t seem happy about it. Go out tomorrow and find out what’s really going on."

The housekeeper acknowledged and withdrew.

Fifth Sister sat before her dressing table, absently combing her hair.

Ninth Sister had already endured enough hardship—she shouldn’t have to face any more distress.

Meanwhile, Fifth Brother-in-law excitedly recounted how Zhao Ling had taken him to meet Shopkeeper Ye San that day.

He eagerly sat down beside Fifth Sister, his eyes bright and gleaming.

"Why didn’t you ask me earlier about my meeting with Shopkeeper Ye San?" he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm as he rambled on. "Let me tell you, Ninth Brother-in-law and Shopkeeper Ye San are truly close. As soon as he heard Ninth Brother-in-law had arrived, Shopkeeper Ye San—who was in the middle of negotiating with the owner of Hengtong Trading—dropped everything and hurried out to greet us. You know Hengtong Trading, right? They’re the largest tinware merchants in Jiangnan. Last time, we only managed to secure their latest batch of tinware because we got in touch with the assistant manager of their Xi’an branch... Shopkeeper Ye San even led us to his private study at the back of his shop, and both his sons came out to pay their respects to Ninth Brother-in-law, addressing him as ‘Uncle.’" At this point, he couldn’t help but marvel, "You wouldn’t believe it—Shopkeeper Ye’s eldest son looked two or three years older than Ninth Brother-in-law! I really wanted to ask for his birth year, but seeing how respectfully he bowed to Ninth Brother-in-law, and how he politely called me ‘Uncle’ too after learning I was Ninth Brother-in-law’s brother-in-law, I felt too embarrassed to ask..."

Fifth Sister found his words both exasperating and amusing.

He went on and on about irrelevant details while skipping the important parts.

Her mind was still preoccupied with Fu Tingyun’s uneasy expression earlier—she had no patience for his rambling. With a smile, she cut in, "Just tell me what Shopkeeper Ye San said after learning you were Ninth Brother-in-law’s brother-in-law. Save the rest for another time."

Fifth Brother-in-law frowned, displeased. "Shopkeeper Ye treated us with such courtesy entirely out of respect for Ninth Brother-in-law. How can you ignore the reason behind it and only care about what benefits we received?"

Fifth Sister was at a loss for words. Suppressing her irritation, she replied, "It’s just that it’s getting late, and I’m worried you might have other matters tomorrow, so I thought we should keep it brief." Then, humoring him, she added, "Fine, tell me—what exactly did you all discuss?"Fifth Brother-in-law's expression finally softened, and he stopped dwelling on the trivial details, telling Fifth Sister about Shopkeeper Ye San's promise: "...From now on, our Yao family can directly source goods from Datong Company, all at the lowest discounted prices."

Even though Fifth Sister was preoccupied with thoughts of Fu Tingyun, she couldn't help but beam with joy upon hearing her husband's words.

The Yao family dealt in general merchandise from north and south. Datong Company also operated in this trade, and because they had their own fleet with connections to foreign trade, their product range was exceptionally comprehensive. However, in recent years, as Datong Company flourished, they had shifted their focus primarily to businesses like silver shops, money exchanges, grain transport, and maritime trade, leaving general merchandise to wholesale only. Although the Yao family was prominent in Lintong, in the eyes of Datong Company, they weren't even considered major merchants—how could they possibly secure favorable discounts?

Now, with Datong Company as their backing, even if nothing else was certain, it was only a matter of time before the Yao family established themselves firmly in Xi'an Prefecture.

Her husband wasn't cut out for officialdom. Even if he passed the imperial examinations, he might not achieve much in his career and could end up influenced by the corrupt practices of officialdom, taking concubines and indulging in vices. It was far better as things were now—a devoted couple, deeply in love, with children of their own.

Fifth Sister had long resolved not to pressure her husband into pursuing the imperial exams, allowing him instead to indulge in poetry, painting, gardening, and other hobbies at home.

However, as their children grew older and needed education, and as her in-laws aged and required medical care, it became increasingly difficult to maintain their family's wealth without access to lucrative government-related business.

But now, with Zhao Ling's introduction, she could gradually expand the Yao family's business.

Fifth Sister couldn't contain her excitement. "I'll write to Mother-in-law right away and inform her of this," she said. It would also let the elders know that this opportunity came entirely through her younger cousin's help. This way, even if rumors circulated later, her in-laws wouldn't be able to object to her interactions with Fu Tingyun.

Fifth Brother-in-law, however, didn't think so deeply. He simply felt that since they had received Zhao Ling's favor, they ought to inform the family elders so they could repay the kindness in the future. He eagerly nodded in agreement. "I'll write to Father as well and let him know."

Fifth Sister naturally didn't object. She personally ground ink for her husband as they wrote two letters home. That night, the couple lay in bed, dreaming aloud for hours until their eyelids grew heavy and they finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, Fifth Sister's personal housekeeper came to report: "...They say the barbarians in Guizhou have rebelled, and several county magistrates have died in the siege. The Emperor is furious and has personally appointed Ninth Brother-in-law as the regional commander to quell the rebellion. He didn’t dare mention it to Ninth Sister-in-law for fear of worrying her..."

"Who told you this?" Fifth Sister asked, stunned.

"Everyone knows," the housekeeper replied. "They say it's an imperial decree—he’s to set off after the third day of the New Year. Ninth Sister-in-law has already instructed Yu Wei to pack his belongings."

Fifth Brother-in-law, listening nearby, nodded repeatedly. "Ninth Brother-in-law is truly a good man... If it gets too dangerous, he can always resign."

Ninth Sister must be beside herself with worry right now.Fifth Sister was afraid her husband might say something inappropriate in front of Fu Tingyun and Zhao Ling, so she quickly pulled him aside. "We're just ordinary folks—what do we know about official matters? Don't go giving any reckless advice. If you end up harming Brother-in-law Zhao, I won’t forgive you."

Her husband was startled by her words, then nodded in agreement. "Don’t worry, I know what’s at stake."

He never broke his promises once given.

Fifth Sister sighed in relief and turned to the Housekeeper. "What is the Ninth Concubine doing now?"

Perhaps she could go help out!

"The Ninth Concubine is speaking with the Ninth Master in the inner chamber," the Housekeeper replied hesitantly. "Or perhaps... since the Ninth Concubine was kept in the dark before and now knows the truth, she’s upset, and the Ninth Master is apologizing to her. That’s why the young mistress and young master were taken by their attendants to play in the side room."

"Don’t spout nonsense!" Even if that were the case, such words shouldn’t be spoken aloud—what would people think of Fu Tingyun’s reputation? Fifth Sister scolded her personal Housekeeper sharply. "The Ninth Master is about to leave for Guizhou—a journey of a thousand miles, where even sending a letter will be difficult. Naturally, he has household matters to settle... Why must you jump to such indecent conclusions?"

The Housekeeper didn’t dare argue and meekly admitted her mistake.

Only then did Fifth Sister’s expression soften, and she dismissed the woman.

The old servant couldn’t help grumbling inwardly: It wasn’t me who said it... That maid Zhenzhu was the one who let it slip...

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The National Day holiday notice is out—eight days off! While others are making travel plans, I’m huddled in a corner counting how many chapters I need to write(>_<)